Wyoming Elder Fraud Statutes

Wyoming has an Adult Protective Services law that defines exploitation as “the reckless or intentional act taken by any person, or any use of the power of attorney, conservatorship or guardianship of a vulnerable adult.” Examples include:

• Obtaining control through deception, harassment, intimidation, or undue influence over the vulnerable adult’s money, assets or property with the intention of permanently or temporarily depriving the vulnerable adult of the ownership, use, benefit or possession of his money, assets or property
• Employing the services of a third party for the profit or advantage of the person or another person to the detriment of a vulnerable adult
• Forcing, compelling, coercing, or enticing a vulnerable adult to perform services for the profit or advantage of another against the will of the vulnerable adult
• Intentionally misusing the principal’s property and, in so doing, adversely affecting the principal’s ability to receive health care or pay bills for basic needs or obligations
• Abusing the fiduciary duty under a power of attorney, conservatorship, or guardianship.

Under section 35-20-103, if someone suspects exploitation, he or she needs to makes a report containing information about the parties involved and the nature of the abuse. As long as the report is made in good faith, the person who makes it will be immune from civil liability.

However, if someone fails to make a report, this constitutes a misdemeanor, as per section 35-20-111. The penalty for this is a fine of up to $1,000 and/or one year in prison. The same penalties apply for making a false report.

According to section 6-2-507, if someone is found guilty of exploiting a vulnerable adult, he or she has committed a felony. The penalty for this is a fine of up to $10,000 and/or a prison sentence of up to 10 years. In addition, the offender’s name will be added to the central registry.

It’s possible that victims of financial exploitation in Wyoming can retrieve lost funds. To learn about your legal rights, get in touch with the Silver Law Group. One of our elder financial fraud attorneys will give you a free consultation. Call us toll-free at 1-800-975-4345 or just fill out our online contact form.

Since our firm works on contingency, you won’t owe us any fee unless we successfully help you recover money.